The rest of Lin Wei's day at Stellaris Tech was a blur of polite introductions, facility tours showcasing the cutting-edge AI labs and sleek design studios, and meetings with various department heads. Each interaction was professional, almost overly so, a stark contrast to the charged encounter with Qin Feng. Yet, his offer hung in the air like a silent agreement, a weight that colored every smile and every handshake.
She learned about Stellaris Tech's groundbreaking work in personalized AI companions, their revolutionary smart-home systems, and their ambitious foray into sustainable urban development – areas that resonated deeply with her architectural aspirations. The projects were innovative, the teams were driven, and the resources were seemingly limitless. It was everything she had dreamed of.
But the shadow of Qin Feng's unexpected proposition loomed large. Was this incredible opportunity truly based on her merit, or was she merely a pawn in some intricate game he was playing? The memory of his knowing smirk in the hovercar, the veiled implications in his office – they all pointed towards a more calculated motive
By the time 18:00 hours approached, Lin Wei found herself back in the sterile quiet of the reception area, her mind still wrestling with the decision. Her gut instinct screamed caution, a familiar warning whenever Qin Feng was involved. Yet, the rational part of her acknowledged the unparalleled career advancement this position offered.
Her personal comm chimed, a discreet notification. It was a message from Qin Feng: "My office. Now."
Taking a deep breath, Lin Wei navigated back to the executive floor. His door was ajar, and she found him standing by the expansive window, overlooking the glittering cityscape as the artificial twilight painted the sky in hues of violet and gold.
He turned as she entered, his expression unreadable. "Ms. Lin Wei. Have you reached a decision?"
Lin Wei met his gaze, her own resolve hardening. "Yes, CEO Qin. I accept your offer."
A flicker of something – satisfaction? triumph? – crossed his features, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared. "Very well. You will report to Head of Design, Mr. Zhang, effective tomorrow at 08:00 hours. Your initial projects will focus on the integration of our AI living solutions into the Skybloom Residences."
His tone was all business now, the earlier insinuations seemingly forgotten. Or perhaps, merely put on hold.
"Understood," Lin Wei replied, matching his professional demeanor. "I look forward to contributing to Stellaris Tech."
"I have no doubt you will," Qin Feng said, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer than necessary. "However, Ms. Lin Wei, my earlier statement about our… closer working relationship was not merely a figure of speech."
Lin Wei's guard went up. "What exactly do you mean, CEO Qin?"
"I mean," he said, stepping closer, his presence suddenly more palpable in the spacious office, "that I expect a certain level of… cooperation. A willingness to engage beyond the purely professional."
His words were carefully chosen, walking a fine line between professional expectation and something far more personal. Lin Wei felt a knot of unease tighten in her stomach.
"My focus will be on my work," she stated, her voice firm. "I am here to contribute my skills as an architect."
"And I value those skills," Qin Feng conceded, his eyes holding hers with an intensity that made her skin prickle. "But I also value… synergy. Understanding. Between key members of my leadership team."
He paused, the silence stretching between them. "Consider this, Ms. Lin Wei. We have a shared history. A history of… intense interaction. I believe that understanding that dynamic, acknowledging it, can be… beneficial for both of us. For the company."
Lin Wei didn't believe him for a second. This wasn't about company synergy. This was about him, about his need to exert control, to revisit their past on his terms, now that he held the power.
"I am willing to be professional and collaborative," she said carefully. "But my personal history with you is separate from my professional responsibilities."
Qin Feng took another step closer, closing the distance between them. Lin Wei stood her ground, refusing to back down from his intense gaze.
"Is it, Ms. Lin Wei?" he murmured, his voice low and dangerously smooth. "Our history is what brought us here, in a way, wouldn't you agree? That… unexpected collision led to this opportunity."
"You engineered that collision," Lin Wei accused, the suspicion she had harbored all day finally finding voice.
A ghost of a smile touched his lips. "Did I? Perhaps. Or perhaps fate has a rather… dramatic sense of humor. Regardless, here we are. And I believe there is potential here, Ms. Lin Wei. Potential for great things. For Stellaris Tech… and for us."
"I am not interested in any 'potential' beyond a professional working relationship," Lin Wei insisted, her heart pounding a defiant rhythm against her ribs.
Qin Feng's gaze darkened slightly. "Are you sure about that, Lin Wei? Because I have a feeling that beneath that professional façade, there's still a spark. A flicker of the old rivalry… and perhaps something more."
He reached out, his fingers brushing lightly against her arm. Lin Wei instinctively flinched, a visceral reaction to his touch.
Qin Feng's eyes narrowed, a hint of challenge in their depths. "Don't deny what's there, Lin Wei. It's always been there, simmering beneath the surface. Now, we have the opportunity to see what happens when that heat is… intensified."
Lin Wei pulled her arm away, her anger simmering beneath her professional composure. "There is nothing simmering between us, CEO Qin, except perhaps my continued annoyance at your arrogance."
Qin Feng chuckled, a low, knowing sound. "Time will tell, Ms. Lin Wei. Time will tell. But mark my words, our agreement tonight is more than just an employment contract. It's the beginning of something… unavoidable."
He stepped back, the professional mask firmly back in place. "Report to Mr. Zhang tomorrow. Welcome to Stellaris Tech, Ms. Lin Wei."
Lin Wei nodded curtly, her mind reeling from the undercurrent of their exchange. She had accepted the job, but it came with unspoken conditions, a forced proximity that Qin Feng clearly intended to exploit. As she left his office, the glittering lights of Neo-Shanghai seemed to mock her with their cold indifference. She had stepped into the lion's den, and the game, she realized with a chilling certainty, had just begun.